Journal of Forensic Medicine

Levels of Macroelements and Microelements in Urine during Experimental Acanthamoebiasis

Abstract

Karolina Przydalska

This study aims to investigate the influence of free-living amoebas on the excretion of both macroelements and microelements in urine. The research focuses on analyzing the concentrations of macroelements, including calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg), as well as microelements like manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and chromium (Cr), during acanthamoebiasis, while taking into consideration the immunological status of the host. This groundbreaking study reveals, for the first time, notable changes in the urinary excretion of several elements in response to Acanthamoeba sp. infection in immunocompetent mice. Specifically, 16 days post-infection, there is an observed increase in the excretion of calcium, manganese, copper, iron, sodium, and chromium, alongside a decrease in potassium excretion. As the infection progresses to its later stage (24 days post-infection), there is a further reduction in urinary potassium excretion and lower levels of phosphorus in Acanthamoeba sp. infected immunocompetent hosts. In the context of acanthamoebiasis within immunosuppressed hosts, an initial increase in excretion of zinc, iron, and chromium is noted at the early phase of infection, accompanied by increased sodium excretion only at 16 days post-infection with Acanthamoeba sp. Furthermore, the immunosuppressive state of the host has an impact on the urinary concentrations of iron, chromium, zinc, copper, manganese, and calcium.